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Running from Sheffield to Manchester via the rugged landscape of the Pennines, the Woodhead Line was electrified way back in the early 1950s with the Class 76 electric locomotive being built especially for the line. A major feature of the route is the Woodhead Tunnel system, comprising three tunnels (the third being added specifically for the electrification of the line) to enable the line to run through the hilly landscape of the northern Peak District.

The Class 76 electric locomotive was first produced as a prototype (6701) in 1941, with full production beginning in 1950 in Manchester. Under British Rail, Class 76s hauled freight and passenger services along the Woodhead Line until 1970, after which they handled only freight workings. Now closed to traffic since 1981, the Woodhead Line and its tunnels are still a regular destination for rail enthusiasts and hikers, and they have now been brought back to life in Train Simulator.

Key Features

60-mile Woodhead Line route from Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield Victoria including Wath branch and Woodhead Tunnels

Class 76 electric locomotive

Class 08 diesel shunter in BR Black

8F Steam Locomotive

Mk1 coaches in crimson livery

Download size 842 MB

Scenarios

7 scenarios, including career and standard, plus 4 free roams

In the Bleak Midwinter (Standard)

I`ve Never Known a Night Like It (Standard)

Run for Your Wath (Standard und Karriere)

The Hadfield Flyer (Standard und Karriere)

The North Country Continental (Standard und Karriere)

To Lincoln Central (Standard und Karriere)

Up the Junction (Standard)

Plus 4 free roams

More scenarios are available on Steam Workshop online and in-game. Train Simulator’s Steam Workshop scenarios are free and easy to download, adding many more hours of exciting gameplay. With scenarios being added daily, why don’t you check it out now!

Now this... is a fantastic route. I'd never taken much note of this infamous line before. But ever since I bought this DLC, I've been having fun all the way, both driving & looking into the history of the real route. For a start, the scenery is amazing - from the busy industrial yards around Sheffield, Manchester & Wath, to the amazing views of the Pennines & the Woodhead tunnels. It's a truly fantastic journey, especially with the loco's & rolling stock.

For a start, you get the popular Class 76 Electric's in BR Black. I actually had trouble driving these to start with, because I didn't realise you had to 'Shift Traction Modes' in the cab once you were underway & have both pantographs up - no matter where you leave from, you'll face an uphill climb to start, followed by a downhill run where you MUST apply the brakes. Trust me... after Woodhead Tunnel's on the way to Manchester, there are a lot of curves. And the Wath Line need a lot of expertise in each direction, driving both steam or electric... especially when you're hauling coal. Unfitted 21-ton hoppers? Not recommended for drivers-in-training.

Speaking of engines, you get the former-LMS 8F's & Class 08 Shunting Diesels. Now, I would like to have seen more scenarios with both of these engines (the 08's only driveable in a few 'Free Roams', and the 8F only has 1 'Standard' Scenario. But there's also one with a BR Green Class 37 & you'll see a few 'Black Fives' roaming around the route too. I suggest, if need-be, you get this route with the Robinson 04 or Thomson B1 in one of Steam's Twin Packs.

Even so, I still enjoy this route. It's a challenge to drive on, but a great journey all the same. And for the price, you can't argue with what you get - if Electrics, Heavy Goods or just trains in general are you're thing, I really recommend the Woodhead Line.

This was a nice surprise, it wasn't on my wish list but as it was only £12 I bought it. It's how I remember UK railways of yore, plenty of railway infrastructure, sidings, signal boxes, semaphore signals. Never travelled on this line so I cannot vouch for its authenticity, however if you like industrial and rural landscapes, challenging gradients, speed restrictions over complex junctions then I thoroughly recommend this route.